Delhi sighted victory in the distance against Andhra but it remained a mirage. Presented a target of 88 in 13 overs, Delhi managed 41 for two in five overs when play was called off on account of bad light. Delhi took three points from the Ranji Trophy match and Andhra one on a day of excitement at the Feroz Shah Kotla here.
There was hardly an inclination of any fightback from Delhi, which resumed the day at 409 for three and added 24 runs to establish a first-innings lead of 43 runs. An insipid draw looked the likely result but Delhi stunned itself with a bowling performance against the run.
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Two left-arm spinners gave Delhi an outside chance to go for a win. A five-wicket haul by debutant Shivank Vashisht and three wickets by Vikas Mishra left Andhra in a tough spot. The visiting was bowled out for 130 with Shoaib Khan putting up a defiant show with his 44 off 99 balls.
Andhra paid the price for complacency in the ranks and Delhi grabbed the opportunity to explore its maiden victory of this season. Andhra fielded outstandingly in the five overs it had to stifle the Delhi chase and the draw seemed a fair conclusion to a well-contested match.
At the end of the match, the Delhi and District Cricket Association organised a function to felicitate Gautam Gambhir, who was making his farewell appearance in first-class cricket.
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